Gino Peruzzi is set to become Sunderland's 10th signing of an extremely busy summer. The 21-year-old Argentina right-back is close to completing a long-mooted switch from Vélez Sarsfield for around £3.3m after passing a second medical in Rome.

Peruzzi originally travelled to Wearside last week but things stalled when his initial medical revealed an old knee ligament injury which raised concerns. A second opinion was sought and the player, who has four senior Argentina caps, visited Professor Pier Paolo Mariani at his Italian clinic. Mariani's conclusion was that a specialist exercise and physiotherapy programme would correct the problem and the deal could proceed.

It is likely to be finalised early next week when Paolo Di Canio's side, currently in Hong Kong for the Barclays Asia Trophy, return to Wearside.

Meanwhile Alfred N'Diaye, the midfielder Martin O'Neill, Di Canio's predecessor, signed from Bursaspor for around £4m last January, appears to be on his way back to Turkey. N'Diaye is close to a move to Eskisehirspor, albeit probably on an initial loan arrangement.